And we’re back in five, four, three, two…
Well, that was a week of doing nothing but applying ice one minute, ointment the next, making tea with my left hand, and not even being allowed to wash up -which I was secretly happy about. I managed to read two books about Jack the Ripper and am now, rather appropriately, halfway through ‘The Withered Arm’ by Thomas Hardy, and those are probably the biggest achievements of the week of enforced rest. I’ve hardly been out and about, so there aren’t many photos to show you, but I’ll find something.
In case you were wondering, the week started a week ago last Thursday, when I rang for an appointment with the orthopaedic specialist in Rhodes. This is how the private system works over here: you make an appointment with a private doctor at your convenience based on when the boats are running. In my case, the following Monday suited, so that’s what I did. A leisurely boat ride, some breakfast, and then a taxi as it was a two-mile walk otherwise, and I didn’t want to arrive sweaty. An examination, chat and, this time, a cortisone injection to ease my ‘sports injury’ and, as a bonus, he wanted me to have an x-ray to check my neck. So… €40.00 paid for that appointment, I walked back the two miles to the place opposite the Plaza, wandered in, waited for five minutes, and had two x-rays taken as requested. Another five minutes for the results, and a copy emailed directly to the doctor. (€45.00.) Time for lunch.
The doc messaged me a while after explaining the results and suggesting physio might help, so I wrote back saying I’d look into it, and he replied with a heart emoji. I mean… so casually efficient, personal and cheap. It could all have been done at the hospital for a smaller fee, but would have involved more waiting around, and me taking up a place someone else could have done with, and while I can afford to be treated at my convenience, I will.
The rest of the day was given over to a lovely meal at ‘Napoleon’s’, a slow walk back to Akandia through the Old Town, ice cream and coffee at ‘Nimos’, and home on the Blue Star which came with the offer of a lift up the hill (thank you!).
That’s enough for the first day back at the desk. I have a book to continue to write, and I am still on limited typing time, so I won’t stay around any longer…
